Montenegro is aiming to accelerate its digitalization efforts in public administration, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s global leadership in e-governance, which is known for its efficiency, accessibility and innovation. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić highlighted the importance of this process during a meeting with Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo.
Spajić noted that Singapore’s e-government system could serve as a model for Montenegro as it works to implement similar digital frameworks. He emphasized that Montenegro’s public sector already benefits from Singapore’s expertise, with government employees participating in training sessions organized by Singapore for international counterparts.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that Montenegro plans to develop a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy by 2025 and expressed interest in collaborating with Singapore in areas like AI and digital transformation. Spajić saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s capacity to implement advanced technologies in the public sector.
Josephine Teo, who leads Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, stressed the significance of digitalization in attracting top companies and advancing the IT industry, which is now an integral part of the economy. She assured that Singapore is eager to assist Montenegro in this transformative process, noting that many of Singapore’s digital public goods, including open-source programs, are available to other countries, including Montenegro.
The discussion also touched on workforce retraining initiatives, which Singapore regularly carries out to equip its workforce with the skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market. Teo emphasized the importance of aligning training with industry needs so that graduates can immediately contribute to their country’s development.
Spajić further expressed Montenegro’s intent to diversify its workforce through short-term training courses, aligning with market needs to provide immediate opportunities for skilled professionals.
In addition to digitalization, cybersecurity and digital safety were important topics during the meeting, with both sides exploring potential collaboration in strengthening online security. Montenegro has already engaged with Singapore’s expertise in cybersecurity through programs organized by the National University of Singapore, the United Nations and Singapore’s Cybersecurity Agency.
Prime Minister Spajić concluded by underlining the importance of proactive efforts to eliminate business barriers and develop a paperless administration. He noted that AI is increasingly used in Singapore’s public sector to automate processes, analyze data, and improve services for citizens.
Teo highlighted that Singapore has already enabled citizens to access over 1,000 online services, with further improvements planned through the “Ready for the Future” program by 2025.
